Evansville (Packet/Rafter, 1869-1891)

Summary

• BOAT DESCRIPTION: Sternwheel
• BOAT TYPE: Packet/Rafter
• BUILT: 1869 at Evansville, Indiana
• FINAL DISPOSITION: Dismantled in 1891
• OWNERS: Green and Barren River Navigation Company; Matt Clark Transportation Company (1883-1888); Lansing Lumber Company (1888); Captain Walter Blair (1888); LeClaire Navigation Company (1888); Rapids Transit Company (1880)
• OFFICERS & CREW: Captain Edward Root (master); Lysander Darling (captain and pilot, circa 1883); Sam R. Van Sant (master, 1880); Captain W.S. Vanmeter (1869)
• RIVERS: Mississippi River; Green River; Barren River
• OTHER INFORMATION: Ways - T0770, 1921; Originally a packet that operated on the Green and Barren Rivers. About 1881, she was sold and worked in the Davenport-Clinton trade. About 1883 she became a raftboat owned by the Matt Clark Transportation Company, Stillwater, Minnesota. After that company failed, she was sold at a U.S. Marshal sale to John Robson of the Lansing Lumber Company for a fuel bill which was overdue. In 1888, she was sold to Captain Blair and was used two seasons as a rafter. Some sources indicate that she blew up at Homer, Minnesota in 1891. After dismantling, her engines and other machinery went to the Volunteer. This machinery had originated on the packet Ada Lyon (built 1864)